Species and Prevalence of Rabbit Gastrointestinal Parasites in Berastagi Farm Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Parasitic infection is one factor which hinder the success of rabbit breeding.The aims of this study was to identify the species, prevalence, and intensity of parasitic attacks. The sample used is feces from rabbits on the Berastagi farm, Karo District, Sumatera Utara. Rabbit feces samples were divided into young rabbits (age>three months) as many as 15 rabbits and adult rabbits (aged> 3 months) as many as 25 rabbits. Sample examination was carried out at the Parasitology Laboratory, Medan Veterinary Hall, Sumatera Utara using the flotation method.The results showed that in young rabbits, threespecies of parasites were found with their percentage of prevalences, namely Eimeria sp. (40%, common) and intensity of attacks 3,966 (super parasitic infections); Strongyloides sp. (20%, often) and the intensity of attacks 233 (very heavy parasites); and Passalurus sp. (13.33%, often) and intensity of attack 450 (very heavy parasites).In adult rabbits, only onespecies of parasite was found i.e. Eimeria sp. (12%, often) and intensity of attacks of 900 (very heavy parasites).Young rabbits have a greater risk of being infected with parasites than adult rabbits.